Body detection using near field millimeter wave scattering

ABSTRACT

A communication device includes a processor subsystem that is in communication with a communication module, which is communicatively coupled to an antenna array to transmit and receive signals. The processor subsystem executes a near-field detection application to perform a method including transmitting, via the antenna array, a signal that is swept across a range of frequencies and receiving any back-scattered signals in the range of frequencies. The method includes determining whether a near-field obstruction exists based on characteristics of the received back-scattered signals. In response to determining that a near-field obstruction exists, the method includes triggering the processor subsystem to perform one or more responsive operations on the communication device. The operations include a selected one of: (i) altering a transmission beam transmitted by the communication device; and (ii) triggering an application to execute on the communication device, the application intended to interact with a user of the communication device.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/853,385, filed Dec. 22, 2017, the content of which is fullyincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to detecting user proximity toa communication device.

2. Description of the Related Art

Generally-known smart phones and other mobile communication devices, oruser equipment (UE), in the 5th generation Long Term Evolution (5G LTE)of wireless communications will employ planar antenna arrays in order tohave higher directive gains over single antenna or diversity antennaconfigurations. The higher directive gains are needed to circumvent theincreased path loss at millimeter wave (mmWave) frequencies, such asaround 28 GHz.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description of the illustrative embodiments is to be read inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a simplified block diagram of a communication devicehaving a near-field scattering body detection and response system withwhich certain aspects of the disclosure can be practiced, in accordancewith one or more embodiments;

FIG. 2 illustrates a proof-of-concept graphical plot of magnitude tracesfor back-scattered signals from different types of surfaces, accordingto one or more embodiments;

FIG. 3 illustrates a proof-of-concept graphical plot of phase traces forback-scattered signals from different types of surface;

FIG. 4 illustrates a proof-of-concept graphical plot of magnitude tracesfor back-scattered signals from a human phantom target at differentdistances;

FIG. 5 illustrates a proof-of-concept graphical plot of phase traces forback-scattered signals from a human phantom target at differentdistances;

FIG. 6 illustrates a flow chart of a method of altering a transmissionbeam in response to detecting a body, based on near-field scattering ofa millimeter wave (mmWave) transmission, according to one or moreembodiments;

FIG. 7 illustrates a flow chart of a method of triggering an applicationthat is intended to interact with a user in response to detecting abody, based on near-field scattering of a mmWave transmission, accordingto one or more embodiments; and

FIGS. 8A-8B illustrates a flow chart of a method by which acommunication device detects and responds to a near-field obstruction tothe communication device, according to one or more embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According to aspects of the present disclosure, a method is provided fordetecting and responding to detection of an object such as a personwithin a near-field distance to a communication device. In one or moreembodiments, the method includes transmitting a millimeter wave (mmWave)signal, swept across a range of frequencies, from the communicationdevice. The communication device receives any back-scattered signals inthe range of frequencies. The method includes determining based onmagnitude and phase characteristics of the received back-scatteredsignals, whether a near-field obstruction exists. In response todetermining that a near-field obstruction exists, the method includesperforming a selected one of: (i) altering a transmission beamtransmitted by the communication device; and (ii) triggering anapplication to execute on the communication device, the application isintended to interact with a user of the communication device.

According to aspects of the present disclosure, a communication deviceincludes a processor subsystem that is in communication with acommunication module. The communication module is communicativelycoupled to an mmWave antenna array to transmit and receive signals. Theprocessor subsystem executes program code of a near-field detectionapplication. The communication module causes the mmWave antenna array totransmit an mmWave signal that is swept across a range of frequencies.The communication module receives any back-scattered signals in theswept range of frequencies via the mmWave antenna array. The processorsubsystem determines whether a near-field obstruction exists based onmagnitude and phase characteristics of the received back-scatteredsignals. In response to determining that a near-field obstructionexists, the processor subsystem performs a selected one of: (i) alteringa transmission beam transmitted by the communication device; and (ii)triggering an application to execute on the communication device. Theapplication provides a user interface or other mechanism/affordance thatenables a user to interact with the application and/or the communicationdevice.

According to aspects of the present disclosure, a computer programproduct includes program code on a computer readable storage devicethat, when executed by a processor associated with a communicationdevice, the program code enables the communication device to provide thefunctionality of the aforementioned method.

In the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of thedisclosure, specific exemplary embodiments in which the various aspectsof the disclosure may be practiced are described in sufficient detail toenable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is tobe understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical,architectural, programmatic, mechanical, electrical and other changesmay be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the presentdisclosure. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to betaken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present disclosure isdefined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof. Within thedescriptions of the different views of the figures, similar elements areprovided similar names and reference numerals as those of the previousfigure(s). The specific numerals assigned to the elements are providedsolely to aid in the description and are not meant to imply anylimitations (structural or functional or otherwise) on the describedembodiment. It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity ofillustration, elements illustrated in the figures have not necessarilybeen drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elementsmay be exaggerated relative to other elements.

It is understood that the use of specific component, device and/orparameter names, such as those of the executing utility, logic, and/orfirmware described herein, are for example only and not meant to implyany limitations on the described embodiments. The embodiments may thusbe described with different nomenclature and/or terminology utilized todescribe the components, devices, parameters, methods and/or functionsherein, without limitation. References to any specific protocol orproprietary name in describing one or more elements, features orconcepts of the embodiments are provided solely as examples of oneimplementation, and such references do not limit the extension of theclaimed embodiments to embodiments in which different element, feature,protocol, or concept names are utilized. Thus, each term utilized hereinis to be given its broadest interpretation given the context in whichthat terms is utilized.

As further described below, implementation of the functional features ofthe disclosure described herein is provided within processing devicesand/or structures and can involve use of a combination of hardware,firmware, as well as several software-level constructs (e.g., programcode and/or program instructions and/or pseudo-code) that execute toprovide a specific utility for the device or a specific functionallogic. The presented figures illustrate both hardware components andsoftware and/or logic components.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the hardwarecomponents and basic configurations depicted in the figures may vary.The illustrative components are not intended to be exhaustive, butrather are representative to highlight essential components that areutilized to implement aspects of the described embodiments. For example,other devices/components may be used in addition to or in place of thehardware and/or firmware depicted. The depicted example is not meant toimply architectural or other limitations with respect to the presentlydescribed embodiments and/or the general invention.

The description of the illustrative embodiments can be read inconjunction with the accompanying figures. Embodiments incorporatingteachings of the present disclosure are shown and described with respectto the figures presented herein.

Turning now to FIG. 1, there is depicted a block diagram representationof an example communication device 100 having a body detection andresponse system 102 that relies on near-field mmWave scattering andwithin which several of the features of the disclosure can beimplemented. In one or more embodiments, communication device 100incorporates wireless communication capabilities to operate as awireless communication device. Communication device 100 can be one of ahost of different types of devices, including but not limited to, amobile cellular phone or smart-phone, a laptop, a net-book, anultra-book, a networked smart watch or networked sports/exercise watch,and/or a tablet computing device or similar device that can includewireless communication functionality. As a device supporting wirelesscommunication, communication device 100 can be one of, and also bereferred to as, a system, device, subscriber unit, subscriber station,mobile station (MS), mobile, mobile device, remote station, remoteterminal, user terminal, terminal, user agent, user device, cellulartelephone, a satellite phone, a cordless telephone, a Session InitiationProtocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personaldigital assistant (PDA), a handheld device having wireless connectioncapability, a computing device, or other processing devices connected toa wireless modem. These various devices all provide and/or include thenecessary hardware and software to support the various wireless or wiredcommunication functions as part of a communication system 103.Communication device 100 can also be an over-the-air link incommunication system 103 that can be intended to be portable orhand-held or for which a user can move into close proximity. Examples ofsuch communication devices include a wireless modem, an access point, arepeater, a wirelessly-enabled kiosk or appliance, a femtocell, a smallcoverage area node, and a wireless sensor, etc.

Referring now to the specific component makeup and the associatedfunctionality of the presented components, processor subsystem 104 canbe an integrated circuit (IC) that connects, via a plurality of businterconnects 106, to a plurality of functional components 108 ofcommunication device 100. Processor subsystem 104 can include one ormore programmable microprocessors, such as data processor 110 anddigital signal processor (DSP) 112 of processor subsystem 104, which mayboth be integrated into a single processing device, in some embodiments.Processor subsystem 104 controls the communication, user interface, andother functions and/or operations of communication device 100. Thesefunctions and/or operations thus include, but are not limited toincluding, application data processing and signal processing.Communication device 100 may use hardware component equivalents such asspecial purpose hardware, dedicated processors, general purposecomputers, microprocessor-based computers, micro-controllers, opticalcomputers, analog computers, dedicated processors and/or dedicated hardwired logic. Connected to processor subsystem 104 is memory 114, whichcan include volatile memory and/or non-volatile memory. Memory 114stores software, such as operating system 116, as well as firmware 118.One or more other executable applications 120 can be stored withinmemory 114 for execution by processor subsystem 104. Memory 114 may beaugmented by on-device data storage 122. Also connected to processorsubsystem 104 is removable storage device (RSD) input/output (I/O)interface 124 that receives a RSD 126 for additional storage.

According to the illustrative embodiment, communication device 100supports wireless communication via a communication module 128.Communication module 128 has a beam steering and power modulationcomponent 130 that directs and power modulates a transmission beam atselected frequencies over an antenna array 132. For example,communication device 100 may support communication protocols andtransceiver radio frequencies appropriate for a wireless local areanetwork (WLAN), illustrated as node 134. Communication device 100 cancommunicate over a personal access network (PAN) with devices such as asmart watch 136. Communication device 100 can communicate with a radioaccess network (RAN) 138 that is part of a wireless wide area network(WWAN). In certain embodiments, communication device 100 may alsosupport a hardwired local access network (LAN) (not shown) or peripheraldevices via an I/O controller 140.

Communication device 100 includes input and output devices. For example,microphone 142 receives user audible inputs. User interface device 144can present visual or tactile outputs as well as receive user inputs. Inone example, user interface device 144 can include a touch screen thatis embedded within or associated with a display. An audio speaker 146can augment or provide alternate presentation of the visual or tactileoutputs of user interface device 144. A tactile control 148 can providean interface such as for braille reading or manual inputs. An imagecapturing device, such as a camera 150, can receive gestures and otherimage data. Communication device 100 can be wholly or substantiallyencompassed by an enclosure 151. In one or more embodiments,communication device 100 can be a distributed system of wireless orwired links or a component subsystem incorporated into a larger assemblyor system, such as a smart home control system.

Quality of Service (QoS) of wireless communication within communicationsystem 103 is enhanced by directing a substantial portion of thetransmission power toward an intended receiver. In some instances,transmission is inadvertently directed in a transmission beam 152 towarda person 154, who can be the user of communication device 100.Transmission beam 152 can be customized for near-field obstructiondetection or can be a channel sounding reference signal (SRS) used aspart of a communication protocol standard. If person 154 is within anear field distance 156 from antenna array 132, a significant magnitudeof back scattered signal 158 can be directed back at antenna array 132.In an exemplary embodiment, near-field distance 156 is approximately 20cm. Back scattered signal 158 has a phase with respect to transmittedbeam 152 that is a function of frequency. Near-field obstructionpresented by person 154 can degrade communication performance.

According to one aspect, to mitigate this situation, body detection andresponse system 102 can alter transmission beam 152. Alteringtransmission beam 152 can include transmitting a reduced-powertransmission beam 160 toward person 154, such as to communicate withsmart watch 136. Altering transmission beam 152 can include directing orsteering a substantial portion of the transmission power in anotherdirection. For example, transmission beam 162 is directed toward node134 and transmission beam 164 is directed toward RAN 138 and not person154. In one or more embodiments, body detection and response system 102includes a near-field mmWave scattering receiver 166 that detectsmagnitude and phase of back-scattered signal 158. In an exemplaryembodiment, near-field mmWave scattering receiver 166 is a dedicatedreceive-only receiver for supporting all instances in whichcommunication device 100 is transmitting. Body detection and responsesystem 102 includes a near-field obstruction application 168 that isresident in memory 114. Near-field obstruction application 168 isexecuted by processor subsystem 104. Near-field obstruction application168 uses the radio frequency (RF) measurement information fromnear-field mmWave scattering receiver 166 to determine if an obstructionexists as well as whether the obstruction is likely to be human. Thedetermination can be based on empirical data contained in a magnitudelookup table (LUT) 170 and a phase LUT 172. In response to detectingperson 154, communication device 100 can limit power transmitted towardperson 154 according to a limit provided by constraint LUT 174.

Rather than being used for altering the transmission beam, detection ofa person within a near-field distance can be used for other purposes. Inone or more embodiments, near-field obstruction application 168 canrespond by triggering person-in-range enabled (PIRE) application 176that is presented on user interface device 144. PIRE application 176 isintended to interact with a user that is within a near-field distance tointeract with communication device 100. For example, PIRE application176 that unlocks communication device 100 with an audible or visual cuefrom a user can require that the user be close to communication device100.

FIG. 2 illustrates a proof-of-concept graphical plot 200 of themagnitude traces of back-scattered signals from different types ofsurfaces at a common distance of 500 mm. Each surface was tested by aswept frequency signal from 26-30 GHz. The different test resultsplotted include: (i)free space magnitude trace 202; (ii) concretemagnitude trace 204; (iii) glass magnitude trace 206; (iv) metalmagnitude trace 208; (v) Plexiglas magnitude trace 210; and (vi) tissuemagnitude trace 212. Metal provides the highest magnitude of backscattered energy. Biological tissue 212 provided the second highestmagnitude of back scattered energy. Consequently, a magnitude thresholdcan be set to include returns typical of tissue and metal with returnsgreater than this being conservatively deemed a human. Thus, magnitudeof the back-scattered signal can be used to detect whether thescattering object is a human body for signal quality purposes.

FIG. 3 illustrates a proof-of-concept graphical plot 300 of phase tracesthat correspond to magnitude traces 202-210 (FIG. 2). The different testresults plotted include: free space phase trace 302; concrete phasetrace 304; glass phase trace 306; metal phase trace 308; Plexiglas phasetrace 310; and tissue phase trace 312. Phase signatures are similar forthe various types of surfaces, so phase is not usable fordifferentiating a human from other types of targets. However, the phaseof the back-scattered signal can be used to determine the distance fromcommunication device 100. If communication device 100 is at a distancewhich does not violate a predetermined limit, communication device 100can maintain the current transmit power. Otherwise, communication device100 can redirect the antenna beam 164 to an unobstructed direction orcan reduce the transmit power in the same direction.

Communication device 100 is calibrated in advance with data retrievedusing a human phantom to populate magnitude LUT 170 (FIG. 1) forback-scattered signals. The human phantom is a life-sized humanmannequin that is created from materials that mimic the electromagneticproperties of a real human body and the particular tissues.Computational human phantoms have also been created for use inelectromagnetic simulators. Magnitude LUT 170 (FIG. 1) can be later usedto detect the presence of a human body. FIG. 4 illustrates aproof-of-concept graphical plot 400 of back scatter magnitude tracesfrom a human phantom target tested at different distances by testingsignals having a frequency swept in a range of 27-28 GHz. The testresults are plotted and include: (i) 100 mm magnitude trace 401; (ii)200 mm magnitude trace 402; (iii) 300 mm magnitude trace 403; (iv) 400mm magnitude trace 404; (v) 500 mm magnitude trace 405; (vi) 600 mmmagnitude trace 406; and (vii) 700 mm magnitude trace 407. For aparticular distance and frequency, a magnitude threshold can bedetermined that is indicative of a human target. For example, acorresponding magnitude value for a selected frequency can be taken fromeach trace 401-407. Values are extrapolated or a line can be fitted tothese magnitude values for intermediate distances for which empiricaldata was not taken. From this line or sequence of magnitude values, anequation or a LUT can respectively be created for determining anappropriate magnitude threshold for each distance. The magnitudethreshold can be scaled to be 90%, 95% or 100% of theseempirically-derived magnitude values to ensure a high likelihood of apositive detection of a human. Additional frequencies can also beselected as a base for creating magnitude threshold lookups orcalculations.

Communication device 100 (FIG. 1) is calibrated in advance with a humanphantom by placing communication device 100 (FIG. 1) at variousseparation distances to populate a second look-up table, phase LUT 172(FIG. 1), for the phase information of the back-scattered signals. FIG.5 illustrates a proof-of-concept graphical plot 500 of back scatterphase traces that correspond to magnitude traces 401-407 (FIG. 4). Thetest results are plotted and include: (i) 100 mm magnitude trace 501;(ii) 200 mm magnitude trace 502; (iii) 300 mm magnitude trace 503; (iv)400 mm magnitude trace 504; (v) 500 mm magnitude trace 505; (vi) 600 mmmagnitude trace 506; and (vii) 700 mm magnitude trace 507. For aparticular distance and frequency, a magnitude threshold can bedetermined that is indicative of a human target. The phase informationcan be used to determine distance to the target using the number of zerocrossings over a frequency range. Using a sweeping frequency source, thecommunication module detects the zero crossings of the phase. Inparticular, every time the phase detector output is zero (perfectly inphase), the modulation frequency at which this occurred is recorded. Thedistance corresponds to the round trip time of the lowest frequencywhich has a zero crossing. Each subsequent zero crossing corresponds tothe same increase in frequency. Thus, difference in frequency “Δf”between zero crossings for a number of crossings can be detected to getan accurate measure of the distance from the device and the object thatis creating back scattering. The number of zero crossings that occurduring the trace indicate distance is provided in TABLE 2:

TABLE 2 Distance 100 mm 200 mm 300 mm 400 mm 500 mm 600 mm 700 mm Numberof Zero 1 2 2 3 4 5 5 Crossings Δf between zero 650 MHz 420 MHz 300 MHz250 MHz 220 MHz 200 MHz crossing

FIG. 6 illustrates a method 600 for detecting a near-field obstructionto a user equipment (UE) or communication device 100 (FIG. 1), where thenear-field obstruction is conservatively deemed to be a human. In one ormore embodiments, method 600 begins with the UE or communication device100 (FIG. 1) transmitting a signal. The signal is swept over a 1 GHzfrequency range using one of the antenna arrays 132 (FIG. 1) of UE(block 602). Method 600 includes recording magnitude and phase ofback-scattered signals received by a dedicated receive-only antennaarray 132 (FIG. 1) (block 604). A processor 110 (FIG. 1) of the UE orcommunication device 100 (FIG. 1) compares the average magnitude of theback-scattered signals with data in a first lookup table 170 (FIG. 1)(block 606). A determination is made as to whether the signal magnitudeis within a range of magnitudes that correspond to back-scatteredsignals for/from an empirically tested human phantom (decision block608). In response to determining that the magnitude is not within therange, method 600 includes maintaining current array weights for beamforming (block 610). Processing returns to block 602 to look again for anear-field obstruction. In response to determining that the magnitude iswithin the range, indicating a strong likelihood that the object is ahuman, method 600 includes comparing the phase signature of theback-scattered signals with data in a second lookup table 172 (FIG. 1)(block 612). Based on the phase signature, a determination is made as towhether the human is at a distance which satisfies a pre-identified orpre-set limit, (decision block 614). In response to determining that thedistance is greater than or equal to the limit, processing returns toblock 610 and then to block 602 to look again for a near-fieldobstruction without necessarily altering the transmission beamcharacteristics. In response to determining that the distance is lessthan the pre-identified or pre-set limit, method 600 includescalculating new antenna array weights and directing the transmissionbeam toward a direction not obstructed by the human body (block 616).Then processing returns to block 602 to look again for a near-fieldobstruction.

In one or more embodiments, the assumption that a near-field obstructionis human based upon a magnitude of the back-scattered signal can bedeemed a conservative approach. Some of the altering methods can improveQoS within the communication system by avoiding interference with othercommunication device that receive reflected RF signals from the metalobstruction.

FIG. 7 illustrates a method 700 for detecting a near-field obstructionto a communication device or UE 100 (FIG. 1), where the near-fieldobstruction is conservatively deemed to be a human. In one or moreembodiments, method 700 begins with the UE or communication device 100(FIG. 1) transmitting a signal. The signal is swept over a 1 GHzfrequency range using of one of the antenna arrays 132 (FIG. 1) of theUE or communication device 100 (FIG. 1) (block 702). Method 700 includesrecording magnitude and phase of back-scattered signals received by areceive-only antenna array 132 (FIG. 1) (block 704). A processor 110(FIG. 1) of the UE or communication device 100 (FIG. 1) compares theaverage magnitude of the back-scattered signals with data in a firstlookup table 170 (FIG. 1) (block 706). A determination is made as towhether the signal magnitude is within a range of magnitudescorresponding to back-scattered signals for/from an empirically testedhuman phantom (decision block 708). In response to determining that thesignal magnitude is not within the range, method 700 includes waitingfor a certain interval (block 710). Processing then returns to block 702to look again for a near-field obstruction. In response to determiningthat the signal magnitude is within the range that corresponds to ahuman phantom, method 700 includes comparing the phase signature of theback-scattered signals with data in a second lookup table 172 (FIG. 1)(block 712). Based on the phase signature, a determination is made as towhether the human is within a display range (decision block 714). Inresponse to determining that the distance is greater than the displayrange, processing returns to block 702 to look again for a near-fieldobstruction, and a person-in-range enabled (PIRE) application is notenabled. In response to determining that the distance is less than thedistance range, method 700 includes enabling the PIRE application (ifnot already enabled on the device) and presenting application specificcontent on the display (block 716). Then processing returns to block 702to look again for a near-field obstruction.

FIG. 8 illustrates a method 800 of detecting and responding to anear-field obstruction to a communication device. In one or moreembodiments, method 800 begins transmitting, from a communicationdevice, an mmWave signal that is swept across a range of frequencies(block 802). For example, the range of frequencies can be 1 GHz widecentered on 28 GHz. In one or more embodiments, the mmWave signal can beincorporated into a communication protocol for an uplink soundingreference signal (SRS). An antenna array of the communication devicereceives any back-scattered signals in the range of frequencies (block804). Method 800 includes determining, based on magnitude and phasecharacteristics of the received back-scattered signals, whether anear-field obstruction exists (block 806). In an exemplary embodiment,determining whether a near-field obstruction exists includes determininga number of zero crossings over a frequency range of the receivedback-scattered signals, where the number of zero crossings is directlyrelated to distance (block 808). Method 800 includes determining adistance of an obstruction based on the number of zero crossings over afrequency range (block 810). A determination is made whether thedistance is less than or equal to a near-field threshold (decision block812). In response to determining that the distance is greater than thenear-field threshold, method 800 returns to block 802 to continuemonitoring for near-field obstructions. In response to determining thatthe distance is less than or equal to the near-field threshold, method800 includes determining a magnitude threshold that is associated withthe distance and that is indicative of a human (block 814). Adetermination is made whether the magnitude of the back-scatteredsignals is equal to or greater than the magnitude threshold (decisionblock 816). In response to determining that the magnitude is less thanthe magnitude threshold, method 800 returns to block 802 to continuemonitoring for near-field obstructions. In response to determining thatthe magnitude is equal to or greater than the magnitude threshold, thenear-field obstruction is presumed to be human (block 818).

In one or more embodiments, following the determination in block 818,method 800 includes altering a transmission beam transmitted by thecommunication device by directing the transmission beam away from thenear-field obstruction (block 820). In one or more embodiments, method800 includes altering the transmission beam transmitted by thecommunication device by setting the transmission power to remain withina pre-identified or pre-set limit for the distance (block 822). In oneor more embodiments, method 800 includes triggering an application toexecute on the communication device, wherein the application is intendedto interact with a user of the communication device (block 824). Thenmethod 800 returns to block 802 to continue scanning for near-fieldobstructions.

In each of the above flow charts presented herein, certain steps of themethods can be combined, performed simultaneously or in a differentorder, or perhaps omitted, without deviating from the spirit and scopeof the described innovation. While the method steps are described andillustrated in a particular sequence, use of a specific sequence ofsteps is not meant to imply any limitations on the innovation. Changesmay be made with regards to the sequence of steps without departing fromthe spirit or scope of the present innovation. Use of a particularsequence is therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and thescope of the present innovation is defined only by the appended claims.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, embodiments of thepresent innovation may be embodied as a system, device, and/or method.Accordingly, embodiments of the present innovation may take the form ofan entirely hardware embodiment or an embodiment combining software andhardware embodiments that may all generally be referred to herein as a“circuit,” “module” or “system.”

Aspects of the present innovation are described above with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of theinnovation. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer program instructions. These computer program instructions maybe provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, specialpurpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus toproduce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via theprocessor of the computer or other programmable data processingapparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified inthe flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

While the innovation has been described with reference to exemplaryembodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted forelements thereof without departing from the scope of the innovation. Inaddition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular system,device or component thereof to the teachings of the innovation withoutdeparting from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intendedthat the innovation not be limited to the particular embodimentsdisclosed for carrying out this innovation, but that the innovation willinclude all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.Moreover, the use of the terms first, second, etc. do not denote anyorder or importance, but rather the terms first, second, etc. are usedto distinguish one element from another.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the innovation.As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended toinclude any structure, material, or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. Thedescription of the present innovation has been presented for purposes ofillustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to the innovation in the form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the innovation. Theembodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the innovation and the practical application, and toenable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the innovationfor various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: transmitting a signal from acommunication device that is swept across a range of frequencies;receiving by the communication device any back-scattered signals in therange of frequencies; determining based on the received back-scatteredsignals whether a near-field obstruction exists; and in response todetermining that a near-field obstruction exists based on the receivedback-scatter signals, performing one or more operations on thecommunication device.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein performing oneor more operations comprises altering a transmission beam transmitted bythe communication device.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein performingone or more operations comprises triggering an application to execute onthe communication device, the application intended to interact with auser of the communication device.
 4. The method of claim 1, whereindetermining that a near-field obstruction exists comprises determiningthat the near-field obstruction exists based on at least one ofmagnitude and phase characteristics of the received back-scatteredsignals.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein determining that a near-fieldobstruction exists comprises: determining a number of zero crossingsover a frequency range of the received back-scattered signals whereinthe number of zero crossings is directly related to distance;determining a distance of an obstruction based on the number of zerocrossings over a frequency range; determining whether the distance isless than or equal to a near-field threshold; and determining that thenear-field obstruction exists in response to determining that thedistance is equal to or less than the near-field threshold.
 6. Themethod of claim 1, wherein determining that a near-field obstructionexists comprises: determining a distance to the received back-scatteredsignals based on the phase characteristic; determining whether thedistance is less than or equal to a distance threshold indicative of anear-field obstruction; associating with the distance a magnitudethreshold that is indicative of a human; determining whether themagnitude of the back-scattered signals is equal to or greater than themagnitude threshold; in response to the magnitude being equal to orgreater than the magnitude threshold and the distance being less than orequal to the distance threshold, determining that the receivedback-scattered signals is a human in the near field; and performing theselected one of triggering the application in response to determiningthat the near-field obstruction is human.
 7. The method of claim 2,wherein altering the transmission beam transmitted by the communicationdevice comprises one of: (i) directing the transmission beam away fromthe near-field obstruction; and (ii) determining a distance to thenear-field obstruction based on the phase characteristics; and settingthe transmission power to remain within a limit for the distance.
 8. Acommunication device comprising: an antenna array; a memory containing anear-field detection application; a communication module communicativelycoupled to the antenna array to transmit and to receive signals; and aprocessor subsystem in communication with the communication module andwhich executes the near-field detection application, which causes theprocessor subsystem to: transmit a signal from a communication devicethat is swept across a range of frequencies; receive by thecommunication device any back-scattered signals in the range offrequencies; determine based on the received back-scattered signalswhether a near-field obstruction exists; and in response to determiningthat a near-field obstruction exists in response to determining that anear-field obstruction exists based on the received back-scattersignals, perform one or more operations on the communication device. 9.The communication device of claim 8, wherein the one or more operationscomprise altering a transmission beam transmitted by the communicationdevice.
 10. The communication device of claim 9, wherein to alter thetransmission beam, the processor subsystem causes the communicationmodule to direct the transmission beam by the antenna array away fromthe near-field obstruction.
 11. The communication device of claim 9,wherein to alter the transmission beam the processor subsystem causesthe communication module to: determine a distance to the near-fieldobstruction based on the phase characteristics; and set the transmissionpower to remain within a limit for the distance.
 12. The communicationdevice of claim 8, wherein the one or more operations comprisetriggering an application to execute on the communication device, theapplication intended to interact with a user of the communicationdevice.
 13. There communication device of claim 8, wherein to determinethat a near-field obstruction exists, the processor subsystem determinesthat the near-field obstruction exists based on at least one ofmagnitude and phase characteristics of the received back-scatteredsignals.
 14. The communication device of claim 8, wherein to determinethat a near-field obstruction exists, the processor subsystem:determines a number of zero crossings over a frequency range of thereceived back-scattered signals, wherein the number of zero crossings isdirectly related to distance; determines a distance of an obstructionbased on the number of zero crossings over a frequency range; determineswhether the distance is less than or equal to a near-field threshold;and determines that the near-field obstruction exists in response todetermining that the distance is equal to or less than the near-fieldthreshold.
 15. The communication device of claim 8, wherein theprocessor subsystem: determines a distance to the receivedback-scattered signals based on phase characteristics of the receivedback-scattered signals; determines whether the distance is less than orequal to a distance threshold indicative of a near-field obstruction;associates with the distance a magnitude threshold that is indicative ofa human; determining whether the magnitude of the back-scattered signalsis equal to or greater than the magnitude threshold; in response to themagnitude being equal to or greater than the magnitude threshold and thedistance being less than or equal to the distance threshold, determinesthat the received back-scattered signals is a human in the near field;and performs the selected one of triggering the application in responseto determining that the near-field obstruction is human.
 16. A computerprogram product comprising: a computer readable storage device; andprogram code on the computer readable storage device that when executedby a processor associated with a communication device, the program codeenables the communication device to provide the functionality of:transmitting a signal from a communication device that is swept across arange of frequencies; receiving by the communication device anyback-scattered signals in the range of frequencies; determining based ona magnitude of the received back-scattered signals whether a near-fieldobstruction exists; and in response to determining that a near-fieldobstruction exists based on the received back-scattered signals,performing one or more operations on the communication device.
 17. Thecomputer program product of claim 16, wherein the one or more operationscomprises altering a transmission beam transmitted by the communicationdevice, the program code for altering the transmission beam comprisingprogram code for at least one of (i) directing the transmission beamaway from the near-field obstruction; and (ii) determining a distance tothe near-field obstruction based on the phase characteristics andsetting the transmission power to remain within a limit for thedistance.
 18. The computer program product of claim 16, wherein theprogram code for determining that a near-field obstruction existscomprises program code for: determining a number of zero crossings overa frequency range of the received back-scattered signals wherein thenumber of zero crossings is directly related to distance; determining adistance of an obstruction based on the number of zero crossings over afrequency range; determining whether the distance is less than or equalto a near-field threshold; and determining that the near-fieldobstruction exists in response to determining that the distance is equalto or less than the near-field threshold.
 19. The computer programproduct of claim 16, wherein the program code for determining that anear-field obstruction exists comprises program code for: determining adistance to the received back-scattered signals based on phasecharacteristics of the received back-scattered signals; determiningwhether the distance is less than or equal to a distance thresholdindicative of a near-field obstruction; associating with the distance amagnitude threshold that is indicative of a human; determining whetherthe magnitude of the back-scattered signals is equal to or greater thanthe magnitude threshold; in response to the magnitude being equal to orgreater than the magnitude threshold and the distance being less than orequal to the distance threshold, determining that the receivedback-scattered signals is a human in the near field; and triggering anapplication in response to determining that the near-field obstructionis human.
 20. The computer program product of claim 16, wherein: theprogram code for performing one or more operations comprises code fortriggering an application to execute on the communication device, theapplication intended to interact with a user of the communicationdevice; and the program code for determining that a near-fieldobstruction exists comprises code for determining that the near-fieldobstruction exists based on the magnitude and phase characteristics ofthe received back-scattered signals.